There’s been a fair amount of talk in recent weeks about background checks, or the lack thereof, for those trying to purchase guns in the United States. Less well known, however, is the fact that the law currently allows people to buy up to 50 pounds of explosive “black powder” with no background check, and buy unlimited amounts of other explosive powders, such as “black powder substitute” and “smokeless powder.”
Since explosive powder is used in, well, explosives, Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Harry Reid (D-Nev.) have unveiled a bill requiring new background checks. Lautenberg said in a statement, “It defies common sense that anyone, even a terrorist, can walk into a store in America and buy explosive powders without a background check or any questions asked.”
Is this also the sort of idea Republicans will reject? Greg Sargent reports:
I’ve reached out to four leading Senators — Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Mike Lee, and Mitch McConnell, all of whom filibustered to block any debate on the Toomey-Manchin compromise. Three of their offices — those of Cruz, Rubio, and McConnell — say they’re evaluating the proposal.









